Aug 17 (Day 15):

We started very early from the Xiyuan hotel to leave for Beijing airport. The hotel packed for us a light breakfast snack to chow in the bus. This was one tearful drive to Beijing Airport! We were bidding farewell to one of the most exotic places that we have been and to the 20+ million Muslims in China and to hundreds of great Muslims we met during our two weeks. 

We carried many fond memories that no customs can hold back or levy a tax on. We will treasure them, cherish them and preserve them vividly in our memories for ourselves and for our generations to come, InshaAllah. 

During the ride, Yusuf Mah and Shakeel Syed thanked the group on behalf of their companies, MM Tours and IslamiCity for the opportunity. These fourteen days gave us new relationships to build on. Some of us are young and some of us are not that young but all of us were in unison about our sentiments to travel together in future and explore new lands. 

After the formal routine and ceremonial airport checking, we were happy that all ended safely and joyously and that we were returning home. But at the same time, there were quiet sad moments as we may or may not see each other again. But invariably each one of us were loaded heavy with memories that cannot be simply forgotten. And with that consolation we waited in the immigration line to soon loose sight of each other, mingle in the crowd and quietly fade away ...

To know more about the IslamiCity China 2002 Tour, click here.